Harbhajan heads sweeping changes

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Harbhajan Singh, who played in the first two npower Tests before suffering an abdomen strain, has been axed from the squad for the first Test with West Indies

India have rung the changes for the first Test against West Indies in Delhi, starting a week on Tuesday.

Their squad contains eight alterations from the one picked to tour England, who won 4-0 to usurp India at the top of the Test rankings, in July and August.

Following his removal from the one-day set-up, Harbhajan Singh has been left out along with fellow spinner Amit Mishra. Ravindra Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha and Rahul Sharma make a new set of spin options.

The pace department also has a new look with Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron preferred to Praveen Kumar and Sreesanth.

Ishant Sharma is included after undergoing rehabilitation on a ligament injury in his left ankle, but Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel are still recovering from ankle injuries.

Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh have recovered from their injuries in time to make the squad.

Ajinkya Rahane finds a place as a reserve opener while Virat Kohli replaces Suresh Raina.

India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Varun Aaron, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma.